Inclosed mercury switch



Oct. H, 1932. K, HUNQKER 1,882,614

INCLOSED MERCURY SWITCH Filed July 31, 1931 mvsuron KARL I-IUNClKER I 8 ATTORNEY Patented Oct; 11,1932

UNITED STATES VPOATENT OFFICE KARL HUNCIKER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOB T E. HoCAIBE, 0F

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ILLINOIS INCLQSED MERCURY SWITCH Application filed July 31,

cuit between the electrodes, has a recognized place in the electric switch art. The operation of such switches depends upon the tilting movement of the tube and there are many occurrences where an inclosed contact switch is desirable but the tilting of such a switch is either undesirable or impossible to be installed.

It is an object ofthis invention to provide a A mercury tube switch in which the mercury tube may remain in fixed position and the mercury caused to make and break the circuit With this and other objects in view, reference is made to the accompanying sheet of drawing which illustrates preferred forms of this invention, with the understanding that minor detail changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of this invention.

In the drawing,-

Figure 1 is a view illustrating a part of the operating means in side elevation and a mercury tube switch embodying'jhis invention partly in central longitudinabvertical section and partly in side elevation, showing the position of the parts when the circuit is broken.

Figure 2' is a view of the mercury tube switch illustrated in Figure 1 partly in central longitudinal horizontal section and partly in top plan view.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1 showtherethrough without tilting the switch tube.

1931. Serial No. 554,182.

ing the position assumed by the parts when the circuit is closed.

Figure d is an enlarged detail view partly in section and partly in elevation takenon the line H, Figure 3 looking in the direc- 0 tion of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a viewin central longitudinal vertical section through a mercury tube switch, with parts in side elevation, o a modified form of this invention.

Figure 6 is a view in end elevatiol of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is an enlarged detail view in side elevation of the actuating parts in "iodified form.

Figure 8 is a view in end elevation of Figure 7 Figure 9 is a view in central vertical sections with parts in elevation of another modified form.

The embodiment of this invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 include a sealed glass tubular container 1 rounded at one end and having two leading in wires 2 and 3 sealed in a central horizontal plane on each side of a tipped filling stem 4 at the other end. Electrodes 5 and 6 are welded to the leading in. wires 2 and 3, respectively, which extend in prolongation thereof with electrode 5 continuing in the same plane toward the opposite closed end while electrode 6 is bent downward and extended parallel and adjacent the lower wall of the tube 1 and terminated at a distance from the rounded end, as shown. Electrode 5 is provided with a right angular 30 extension 7 welded thereto terminating in or near the body of mercury adjacent t le lower wall of the tube 1 spaced apart from and opposite the end of the other electrode 6.

I Arelatively small body of mercury 8 is inclosed in the tube 1, so that when the rounded end of the tube 1 is depressed slightly, as shown in' Figures 1 and 3, and fixed in that position, the mercury will collect and normally remain at the lower end of the tube 1 9o 1 out of contact with the electrode 6. In this .theextension In accordance with this invention the merposition when the leading in wires 2 and 3 are connected in an electric circuit, the said cury 8 is bodily moved to contact the said electrodes to close the circuit and when released will return by. gravity to the rounded end of the tube, expose the ends of one or both electrodes, and open the'ci uit therebetween. One means for bodilyy iioving the mercury to close the circuit is shown in F igures 1 to 4, inclusive. In this form the electrode 5 is extended beyond the attached projection 7 and then bent upward and to the right, as shown in Figures 1,2 and 4, to form a fulcrum 9 for the mercury moving element. This element includes a portion of magnetic metal 10. preferably semi-circular in cross section and clearly shown in Figure-4 with a central longitudinal member 11 projecting therefrom towards the rounded end of the tube 1 which is provided upon'its underside with an engaging member 12 embracing the fulcrum 9, whereby the element maybe rotated thereabout, and the projecting portion 11 is then bent at right angles to provide a slightly wider mercury engaging member 13 curved at its lower end, as shown in Figure 4.,so that when the element is rotated about the fulcrum 9 the portion 13 will engage the body of mercury and bodily move it to close a the electrical connection between the electrode 6 and the projection 7 of the electrode 5. The portion 10 is of greater size and weight so that the mercury moving element normally: assumes the position shown in Figure 1.

It is desired .with this invention to make possible the passage of small amounts of current through the switch and in order not to pass this current through the mercury moving means, which would be impractical becauseof its resistance, the electrode extension 7 is welded to the electrode 5 and so positioned that upon movement of the parts to closethe circuit the mercury first makes contact with extension 7 and then with electrode 6. To insure this operation the extension 7 may befpositioned, as shown in the drawing, to always be immersed in the mercury.

It is readily seen that with this arrangement small amounts of current can be passed and that electrode 5 beyond the point of weld with extension 7, is used, as a matter of convenience and simplicity in construction, as the fulcrum for the mercury moving means 13 and not as a conductor. Furthermore, the construction of this switch without the extension 7 -would still be impractical, regardless of the current passed therethrough because the electrode connection made through the fulcrum would result in arcing, causing the element to stick.

.The arrangement of the parts, comprising the conducting means as shown, is an essential part of this invention in producing a switch of this design.

The mercury engaging member 13 is shaped at its lower extremity, as shown in Figure 4,

to conform to the contour of the curved end poles of the magnet on opposite sides of the tube 1, as shown inFigure 4, whereby the magnetic portion 10 is attracted by the mag-- net and causes the-element to rotate. about the fulcrum 9 to bodily move the mercury 8 to contact and close the circuit between the electrode 6 and the projection 7 of the other electrode and maintain the circuit closed as long as the magnet 14 holds the portion 10 in its uppermost position, ass'hown in Figure 3', and upon the removalof the magnet 14;, the weight of the portion 10 causes the'element to rotate about its fulcrum removing the support of the portion '13 for the body of mercury whereupon the mercury flows by gravity to the bottom of the curved end of the tube 1 and opens the contact between the electrodes.

Mercury tube switches of the general type a illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3 are a machine product, the leading in wires 2 and 3 with the electrodes 5 and 6 welded thereto and the filling stem 4 are positioned in a work holder, the tube 1, closed at one end, is positioned over the work holder, the open end heated and sealed to embrace the leading in wires and filling stem. The filling stem is open and the contained air is removed from the tube and replaced with the mercury and the desired gas and then tipped off, as shown. The particular construction and arrangement of the element for bodily'moving the mercury as heretofore described is such that the said element may be assembled upon the electrode before it is placed in the work holder. to be received and sealed within the tube 1.

' Figures 5 and 6 illustrate another manner for supporting the element for bodily moving the mercury. In this instance, the leada 130 mg in wires 2 and 3 each are welded to similar electrodes and 5, respectively, which extend parallel to each other adjacent the bottom of the tube '1, terminating in the same plane at a distance from the rounded end of the tube; The element for bodily moving the mercury is. constructed, as above described, and is fulcrumed upon a third wire 5 which may be of the same material as the electrode welded to a leading in wire to-faciliw tate in the sealing of the open end and exthe extension of the electrodes 5 and 5 and the rounded end of the tube is bent upward and at ri ht angles to the axis of the tube 1 to form a ulcrum 9 upon which the element for bodily moving the mercury is mounted for rotation. Inasmuch as the exterior pro- 'ection of the wire 5 is only used in positionmg the moving parts carried thereon during the fabrication of the switch and forms no part of the circuit to be controlled thereby, it may be cut ofl flush with the exterior of the seal, if desired.

In supporting the element 13 'for bodily moving the mercury as shown in Figures 5 and 6 and just described, the same results are obtainable as those achieved in the type shown in Figure 1 where the extension 7 is used to eliminate the possibility of the mercury moving means being used as a conductor.

If desired, the element 13 in the type shown in Figure 1 may also be made independent of connection with the electrode by mounting the fulcrum 9 upon asleeve 16 of insulating material, as shown in Figures 7 and 8'.

A switch constructed in accordance with a this invention permits the mercury tube to be held stationary and provides a means for bodily moving a body of mercury to and from the electrodes to rlose and open the electric circuit which means is employed only to cause the movement of the mercury an forms no part of the connection made when the circuit is closed through the switch.

' position. The magnet used to attract the magnetic portionflO- to actuate the closing of the circuit through the switch would in this case be positioned to operate to right of the tube when same is mounted as shown in the drawin v What I c aim is :11; 5 1. A fluid switch including a sealed con- Figure 9 illustrates the application of this tainer having two spaced apart electrodes supported in the walls thereof and containing a body of conductive fluid normally out of contact therewith, and means pivoted within the container adapted to be actuated by external magnetic means to bodily move said fluid to contact said electrodes to close the circuit through the switch.

2..A fluid switch including a sealed container having two spaced apart electrodes supported in the walls thereof and containing a body of conductive fluid normally out of contact therewith, and means pivoted independently of the electrical connections withing the container adapted to be actuated by external magnetic means to engage and bodily move said fluid to contact said electrodes to close the circuit through the switch.

3. A fluid switch including a' sealed container having two spaced apart electrodes supported in the walls thereof and containing a body of conductive fluid normally out of contact therewith, and an angular fluid moving member pivoted within the container having a portion on one side of the pivot adapted to engage the fluid and a heavier portion of magnetic material on the other side of the pivot normally maintaining the first portion to allow the fluid to remain out of contact with the electrodes and adapted to respond to external magnetic. attraction to be rotated and cause the first portion to bodily move the fluid to close the circuit through the electrodes.

4. A fluid switch including a sealed container having two spaced apart electrodes supported in the walls thereof and containing a body of conductive fluid normally out of contact therewith, and means pivoted within the container adapted to be actuated by external magnetic means to bodily move said fluid to contact said electrodes to close the circuit through the switch, said pivoted means being rotatably mounted .upon an extension of one or" the electrodes.

5. A fluid switch including a sealed container having two spaced apart electrodes supported in the walls thereof and containing a body of conductive fluid normally out of contact therewith, and means pivoted- 1 "within the container adapted to be actuated by external magnetic means to bodily move said fluid to contact said electrodes to close the circuit through the switch, said pivoted means being rotatably mounted UPOII an extensionoi one of the electrodes and insulated therefrom.

6 A fluid switch including a sealed container having two spaced apart electrodes supported in the walls thereof and contain-- ing a body of conductive fluid normally out of contact therewith, and meanspivoted within the container adapted to be actuated by external magnetic means to bodily move said fluid to contact said electrodes to close. the

I 4 A I 1,882,614

circuit through the switch, and a support for said pivoted means sealed in the wall of the container.

7 A fluid switch including a sealed container having two spaced apart electrodes supported in the walls thereof and containing a body of conductive fluid normally out of contact therewith, and means pivoted within the container adapted to be actuated by external magnetic means to bodily move said fluid to contact said electrodes to close the circuit through the switch, and a support for said pivoted means sealed in the wall of the container and independent of said electrodes.

- KARL HUNOIKER. 

